What is occupational therapy? Definition and examples

Occupational therapy or OT aims to improve people’s ability to perform everyday tasks – specifically, people who are having difficulties. Occupational therapy involves the use of specific activities or aids to help people recover from mental or physical illnesses. OT is a healthcare profession that focuses on maintaining or developing the daily living and working skills people need.

Individuals who benefit from this therapy have cognitive, mental, or physical impairments.

Definition – Royal College of Occupational Therapists

According to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists in the UK:

“Occupational therapy, often referred to as OT, is a healthcare profession that focuses on developing, recovering, or maintaining the daily living and working skills of people with physical, mental, or cognitive impairments.”

Definition – American Occupational Therapy Association

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.:

“Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).”

“Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.”

Occupational Therapy 1 — Sometimes it is impossible to adapt the client’s home. In such cases, it is best that he or she moves (this is an extreme example).

Who can occupational therapy help?

OT can help people with practical tasks if they:

Have a physical disability.
Are recovering from an operation or illness.
Have learning disabilities.
Are getting older and frailer.
Have mental health problems.

Occupational therapist

An occupational therapy professional is referred to as an Occupational Therapist. They work with individuals of all ages. Occupational therapists can look at all aspects of daily life in the client’s workplace, school, or home.

The OT professional looks at activities that a person finds difficult and helps them find another way to do it.

Occupational therapists, physical therapists (UK: physiotherapists), and psychologists typically refer to the people they treat as ‘clients‘ rather than ‘patients.’ The word ‘client‘ may also refer to a ‘customer‘ with whom the seller has a business relationship. In this article, the word just means the occupational therapist’s ‘patient.’

Occupational therapy – adaptations and aids

Occupational therapists help clients with disabilities use special equipment like wheelchairs. They also help them choose and use aids for dressing, eating, mobility, and many other activities.

Occupational therapists sometimes visit clients’ homes and workplaces.

They help clients adapt their home or work environment so that they can do more things on their own. In other words, they help people become more independent at home or work.

Occupational therapist numbers in different countries — The number of occupational therapists in the advanced economies has increased dramatically over the last twenty years.

Occupational therapy – modifying tasks

An occupational therapist can help patients by showing them new ways to perform tasks. They may also design new ways for patients to enjoy leisure activities.

Often, the occupational therapist advises people on tools or alternative methods to achieve their goals.

Occupational therapy – developing skills

If a client finds it hard to dress himself, the occupational therapist might help him improve some basic skills. For example, better motor function might make it easier to put on and take off pants and shirts.

Occupational therapists may, for example, help clients use physical exercises to get stronger. Some exercises can also improve dexterity.

There are many other types of exercises, such as mental exercises, which may improve the patient’s reasoning abilities.

Examples of how occupational therapy can help

Hip replacement

After a hip replacement operation, some people may find it hard to get in and out of a bath. Fitting grab rails in the bathroom could make that task easier.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes pain in the joints. The joints also swell. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis may find it extremely hard or impossible to lift small objects.

Special grabbing equipment, or, for example in the kitchen, a wide-handled vegetable peeler, can make those tasks easier.

If somebody finds it hard to turn the faucets (UK: taps), it is possible to attach special faucet/tap turners.

Difficulty reaching

People, as they get older, sometimes find it difficult to reach for things, for example, in the top shelf of a cupboard in the kitchen. There are many options to choose from to make this task easier or feasible. An extended grabber is one option.

The occupational therapist might suggest relocating the cupboards lower or replacing them.

More information about OTs

Occupational therapists work in:

Hospitals
Offices
Clinics
Schools Systems
Nursing Homes
Home Health Agencies
Psychiatric Hospitals

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for occupational therapists in the US was $93,180 in 2022.

There are, on average, 9,600 job vacancies for OTs in the US each year. Most of those openings are the result of OTs retiring, exiting the labor force, or transferring to different occupations. In May 2022, there were 134,980 OTs working in the US.

Occupational therapists spend long periods on their feet (standing up) and may have to move or lift clients.

While doctors and dentists have patients, psychologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists have clients.

Brief history

The profession of occupational therapy is a little more than 100 years old.

It was born in the United States around the time of the First World War, when there was a need for the rehabilitation of soldiers returning from war.

The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was founded in 1917; it later became the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).